Ultramarathon

extreme running · endurance · long-distance

Beyond the marathon. While a regular marathon is about 42 kilometers (26 miles), an ultramarathon is anything longer than that. Some ultramarathons stretch 50, 100, or even 160 kilometers or more in a single race.

Running through nature. Many ultramarathons take place on trails through mountains, deserts, and forests rather than on city streets. These tough terrain races make ultramarathons even more challenging than regular marathons.

Mind over distance. Ultramarathon runners need extraordinary mental toughness because their races can last 24 hours or more without stopping. Runners learn to push through exhaustion and keep moving toward the finish line.

Races that last all day. Some ultramarathons called 'hundred milers' take 24 to 48 hours to complete, meaning runners might be going through the night with headlamps. The longest ultramarathons test how far the human body can actually go.